What’s a Rotary Cutter?

A rotary cutter is simply a tool used by quilters, crafters, and even seamstresses to cut fabric.

A typical cutter comes with a handle and a circular blade that rotates when cutting. The rotating action of the blade gives the tool its name—rotary cutter.

It’s important to note that the blades of this tools are extremely sharp, so you’d want to keep your fingers off that area. Also, if you feel that the blades have become blunt after some period of use, you can easily re-sharpen them.

Something else you need to know about the tool blades is that they come in different sizes. The smaller ones will cut smaller curves, and the larger ones will cut broad curves and straight lines.

The biggest advantage a rotary cutter has over the typical pair of scissors is that it can easily cut through severally layers of fabrics simultaneously. This will be of great help to quilters who wish to cut patchwork pieces with the same size and shape.

Having gotten an idea what rotary cutter is, we can now proceed to our top TEN rotary cutter reviews below:

Our Best Rotary Cutter Picks:

1. Fiskars 195210-1001 Contour Rotary Cutter, 45mm

Fiskars is one of the most committed brands in providing you with top-quality rotary cutters at an affordable cost. Sitting at the top of our rotary cutter reviews is one of their most popular cutters—the 45mm Contour Rotary Cutter.

You can use this tool to cut a wide range of things, including multiple players of fabric, felt, vinyl, and even paper. It boasts of a high-grade, precision-ground stainless steel blade that retains its sharpness for a pretty long time than other blades. The size of the blade is 45mm, which makes it ideal for working on all types of projects (however small or big).

Because you can assemble the blade to either side of this cutter, it’s ideal for both the right- and left-handed users.

Using the fabric cutter is also easy, mainly due to its ergonomic design. That is, it features a curved, loop-like handle that perfectly fits in your hands. This gives you total control over it when cutting fabrics.

Above all, it comes with an ergonomically placed sliding button that you can use to extend or retract the blade for safe storage.

2. Olfa 45mm Deluxe Handle Rotary Cutter

The next top-rated rotary fabric cutter on our list is the Olfa 45mm Deluxe Handle Rotary Cutter. Olfa boasts as the pioneer of rotary cutters, and one of the most reputable manufacturers of top-notch cutters for quilters and sewers.

As one of their top models, this Rotary Cutter will make your fabric cutting task easier and faster. It can easily cut through 6 layers of fabric at once, making it suitable for heavy cutting. It can also cut papers, vinyl, upholstery, tarp, fleece, etc.

It boasts of a super duper sharp blade made from tungsten steel. For those who don’t know, blades from this material tend to deliver precise, crisp cuts and retain their sharpness for a longer period.

Thanks to the ergonomic handle that comes with this cutter, you’ll feel comfortable holding the blade to work on your project for extended periods. Keep in mind that the blade can go to the left side to suit left-handed quilters as well.

If you wish to use other specialized blades to cut out decorative edging or patterns, you’ll also find this cuter a real deal as it accepts these types of blades.

With the dual-action safety lock that completely hides the blade when not in use, you can rest assured of your own safety and that of your kid(s).

Another Fiskars tool by the name Titanium Softgrip Comfort Loop Handle Rotary Cutter makes an appearance on our list. Unlike the previous model, this tool comes with a bigger blade size (up to 60mm), making it suitable for handling larger quilting projects.

One of the key features of the tool is a precision-ground 60mm rotary blade with a titanium coating that’s 3x harder than steel. This enhances a lasting sharpness of the blade while boosting its durability.

With this tool, you can easily cut all thicker materials that smaller sizer cutter might not handle. These include multiple layers of fabric, foams, batting, to name but a few.

Because this tool also comes with a curved shape with loop handle, it’ll also offer you a natural grip. And this gives you total control when cutting different materials for more professional results.

And similar to the previous products, this one too has a skidding button along the handle to help you hide the sharp blade when not in use for safety reasons.

Available at a pocket-friendly price, this rotary cutter has 45mm size blade that’s regarded as the standard for working on all sizes of projects. Since it’s possible to move the blade to either side of this rotary cutter, both right- and left-handed users will have an easy time using the cutter.

It also features an ergonomically designed handle that makes handling easy and significantly minimizes fatigue, even for people with arthritis.

The dual action safety lock easily retracts the blade when not in use to make it safe for you and your kids.

With the 100% Satisfaction Guarantee, you’ll have nothing to lose by investing in this blade. The manufacturer offers you a 30-day moneybag guarantee & 60-days return, with no questions asked!

5. Martelli Ergo 2000 45mm Rotary Cutter -Right Hand

How about cutting up to 15 layers, all at once, with a 45mm rotary cutter? This is exactly what the Martelli Ergo 2000 45mm Rotary Cutter does—without stressing your hand or wrist.

This tool is made for the ultimate comfort. It has a comfort contoured grip that naturally fits your hand to grant you unlimited maneuverability. Whether you’re suffering from arthritis, hand fatigue, carpel tunnel or any other hand condition, you’ll not have issues using this rotary cutter for long periods of time.

The precision engineered cutter also comes with an ultra0-sharp blade that makes it easy for you to cut through up to 15 layers of fabric simultaneously. Replacing the blade with a new one is extremely easy for all quilters.

However, this rotary cutter is designed for right-handed quilters only; the lefties can purchase the left-handed version.

The Pink Power 45mm Rotary Cutter takes up our 6th rotary cutter review. It’s a great cutter designed to offer you comfort and personality. You can use it for quilting, sewing, scrapbooking and other paper crafts, upcycling projects, and so on.

Like the other models we’ve seen above, this cutter also comes with a razor-sharp 45mm that can easily cut through 6 layers of fabric at once. The fact that this blade is made from high-quality SKS-7 steel means it will stay sharp for longer, unlike other get dull after a few uses.

Amazingly, the blade has a built-in lock feature that keeps it in firmly place for better cutting accuracy and precision.

Whether you’re a right or left-handed user, this tool allows you to easily move the blade to either side for comfortable use. Likewise, replacing the blades when the need arises is also easy.

As in all the other models, this rotary offers you a dual safety feature which helps reduce the cutter related accidents.

Above all, the manufacturer offers you a full one-year warranty on this cutter, making it 100% risk-free investment that you can buy without worries and fears.

7. OLFA 9551 RTY-1/G 28mm Straight Handle Rotary Cutter

Here comes another best rotary cutter for fabric from OLFA. But unlike its cousin, it has a pretty smaller blade size of 28mm. This makes it ideal for quilters working on smaller projects.

Despite the smaller size, it also comes with the same high-quality blade as the other OLFA models. This way, it’s able to retain its sharpness and durability for longer.

Ideal for cutting both fabric and paper, the tool has a durable and ergonomic handle that will easily fit in the hands of all quilters. Not to forget it’s also ideal for both right and left-handed users.

The blade cover feature ensures that this rotary cutter blade remains unexposed when not in use, a measure that significantly reduces cutter accidents.

8. Premier Blades 45mm Rotary Cutter Tool (5 EXTRA BLADES INCLUDED)

The Premier Blades 45mm Rotary Cutter Tool is undoubtedly the best deal you can get on the market today. Despite coming at an incredibly low cost, it offers you a total of 5 BONUS blades. This will save you the money you might need to spend on replacement blades.

When it comes to the features and cutting capabilities, this tool will also give you the best. To start with, it has an incredibly sharp blade of high-grade stainless steel. This enables the blade to easily cut through multiple layers of fabric while maintaining its sharpness for longer.

It also provides you with an ergonomic soft handle, assuring you of the ultimate comfort and total control over your cutter.

A strategically placed push-button will easily lock the blade in place to make it remain firm during cutting. And when not in use, you can also use this button to retract the blade for safety reasons.

Apart from quilting, you can also use this rotary cutter for scrapbooking, cutting, card making, and a wide range of other DIY projects.

Remember this product comes with 100% satisfaction guarantee— where you can return it for a full refund if you’re not satisfied with it, with no questions asked.

9. Pink Power 45mm Rotary Cutter Set with 5 Replacement Blades

If you’re looking for the best rotary cutter for sewing, Pink Power 45mm Rotary Cutter should be one of your top options. it comes equipped with 45mm blade that can cut through 6 layers of fabric simultaneously.

The razor-shaper blades are made from top-quality SK-7 steel which ensures they remain sharp for an extended period. It also comes with a built-in lock feature that firmly holds the blade during the cutting process, increasing the cutting accuracy and efficiency.

Thanks to the dual safety feature, the blade will not engage when not in use, making it easy to transport around. While still on it, the built-in lock feature will keep the blade from being pressed when not in use.

Switching out the blades is easy in this cutter (btw, it also comes with up to 5 replacement blades). Other than the normal blade, it also accepts decorative blades such as wave, pinking, peak, and scallop blades.

10. ARTEZA 60 mm Quilting Rotary Cutter & 6 Replacement Blades

Finally, we have the ARTEZA 60 mm Quilting Rotary Cutter. ARTEZA is also ranked as one of the top rotary cutter brands and their cutters will make your quilting easy, fun, and fast. This cutter is also a real deal due to the fact that it comes with a total of 6 replacement blades, in addition to the 60mm blade—all at a fair cost.

Like in all the other top-rated cutters, the blades of this cutter are made from high-quality materials. To be exact, the blades are made from SKS-7 tungsten Japanese steel which helps them retain their sharpness and extend their durability, even with repeated use.

What’s more, these blades will also easily fit most brands, including Fiskars and Olfa.

Other notable features in this rotary cutter include an ergonomically designed handle with soft grip for easy handling, blade guard safety w/lock feature for user protection, and compatibility with both right and left-hand users.

With a 60mm blade size, the biggest you can get on the market, you can rely on this rotary cutter to work on the largest projects, thickest fabrics, and other items that your small cuter might not be able to handle.

Olfa vs Fiskars Rotary Cutter?

From our top products reviews above, it’s easy to see that there are many rotary cutter brands on the market today.

The two most reputable of these companies include the Olfa and Fiskers.

And in this section, we’ll take a closer look at their rotary cutters and how they compare to each other.

Olfa Rotary Cutters

Olfa is the oldest brand in the rotary cutter world. They first introduced this handy too back in 1979. They initially intended it for garment making, but quilters quickly adopted it. The company has produced multiple rotary cutters with different blade sizes to meet the needs of different quilters.

It also has a line of ergonomic rotary cutter models that are easy to handle for all users. All their products fall within a pocket-friendly range.

The Olfa cutters haven’t received many complaints from users, save for some quilters experiencing issues when cutting straight lines.

Fiskars Rotary Cutters

This brand has also been around for a pretty long time and like Olfa, has produced a number of rotary cutters in different sizes and shapes. Their products come with a cheaper price, making them ideal for all beginners as well as quilters and sewists on a tight budget.

It’s also worth mentioning that these cutters are readily available in many stores in nearly all online stores, so you won’t have issues getting them.

Unfortunately, their blades tend to dull faster. Their plastic housing might limit their durability, and some of their models aren’t ergonomically designed.

Overall, there isn’t much difference between these two brands. They’re reputable manufacturers in the industry and I’d recommend you to go their products without any doubts.

How Does a Rotary Cutter Work?

A rotary cutter isn’t a complicated tool. It has a circular blade for cutting your fabric and a handle that you hold when doing the cutting.

To use a cutter, you’ll need a self-healing mat where you’ll place the fabric you wish to cut. A self-healing mat is recommended to ensure it doesn’t get easily damaged with repeated use.

There are several methods you can employ to cut your pieces of fabric properly. One, you can pin your paper patterns around your fabric and then cut around it.

You can also outline your paper pattern with washable marker, then remove the paper to cut the fabric.

Some quilters also recommend placing your paper pattern on the fabric you wish to cut and then weighing it down (using pattern weights) to prevent it from moving when cutting.

When cutting the fabric, make sure you pressure plus leverage is over the top of your cutter. Push your cutter downward, NOT forward. In other words, the pressure direction should always go downward as you push the tool forward to cut your fabric.

Proper handling of the cutter as explained above not only gives you total control of the blade but also minimizes rotary cutter related accidents.

The video below will show you how the rotary fabric cutter works.

What is The Best Size Rotary Cutter For Quilting?

As we said earlier, rotary cutter blades come in different sizes. Most of the models currently available on the market come with sizes18mm, 28mm, 45mm, and 60mm.

The larger the size of the blade, the more fabric it’ll easily cut through. The larger size 60mm blades are also known for cutting your fabrics faster than the smaller sizes. Also, if you’re cutting thicker fabric, the larger blade size will come handy.

If you wish to cut small cuts or curves or any other intricate shapes, then you’d want to go with the smaller blade of size 18mm.

Experienced quilters recommend size 45mm as the standard rotary fabric cutter that can handle small as well as large projects.

Overall, there’s no specific rotary cutter size for quilting. The ideal size for your simply depends on your specific fabric cutting needs or the type of projects you’re working in.

If you’re not sure of the ideal size for you, consider buying a size 45mm model. It has unbeatable versatility and will handle small as well as large projects with the same precision.

Can You Use a Rotary Cutter To Cut Paper?

YES, if you’re into paper crafts, whether it’s scrapbooking, card making, etc., you’ll also find the rotary fabric cutter a true buddy that will help you get the exact results you’re looking for.

As it’s the case with sewing and quilting, you’d want to cut your craft papers with high accuracy and obtain smooth cuts. And the rotary cutter will help you do just that.

That being said, you should ensure the rotary you buy has excellent paper cutting capabilities.

Again, I recommend you to go with size 45 tool for paper cutting. This blade size will allow you to obtain clean cuts and eye-appealing edges in all your projects.

Final Verdict

The rotary cutter is one of the most fantastic inventions in the quilting world. From what we’ve seen in this guide, this amazing tool makes you quilting job more productive while ensuring you deliver professional results in all your projects.

The tool cuts your fabrics with increased speed and high precision, eliminating the jagged ends associated with the regular pair of scissors.

Getting the best rotary cutter for your quilting jobs might not be a walk in the park due to the many, many models currently on the market.

After reading this post, however, you’ll gain helpful insights that will steer you in the right direction when making a purchase.

Our list of the 10 top-rated rotary cutters will also give you a good idea of the key features a perfect rotary cutter for you should look like.

Comments

Thanks. This would have been helpful six months ago before I did my own research. I would also add, you can get replacement blades on eBay quite inexpensively, 25c each or something very low. They last 50 times or more longer than an exacto or craft knife. I cut leather with mine, and I have used mine for several weeks and it is still sharp, whereas exacto or utility knives become dull after 20 feet of cutting material.

If you know of one with a metal handle, please let me know. My current plastic cutters are quite flimsy. The blades are amazing. The cutter handles are junk.

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